Jury selection to start in '03 slaying of man

Moore faces life imprisonment if convicted.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for the trial of Darrin Lamont Moore, who is charged with killing an East Side man in December 2003.
Before the jury selection process begins, Judge James C. Evans will hear and rule on a motion to suppress certain information to be used at the trial, filed by Moore's lawyer, John P. Laczko.
Prosecutors say Moore, 20, who listed addresses on Willis Avenue and McGuffey Road, killed 29-year-old Robert Smith of Eliot Lane in December 2003. Smith was found lying on North Garland Avenue on the city's East Side, shot in the back and lower torso. Police believe he was shot when he interrupted those who stole his car from the parking lot of a nightclub on North Garland.
The aggravated murder charge carries a penalty of 20 years to life imprisonment upon conviction. He also faces additional prison time for using a gun in the crime.
Moore also is charged with aggravated robbery and receiving stolen property in Smith's shooting, as well as charges of escape, fleeing and eluding police officers, and failing to comply with a police officer's order.
Tim Franken and Dawn Krueger, assistant county prosecutors, will try the state's case.
Escape from prison
Moore had been an inmate at the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center since Sept. 9, 2003.
Krueger said Moore escaped in October 2003.
A juvenile detention officer had taken him to Forum Health Northside Medical Center after Moore complained about leg pain, police said.
After having a lightweight cast applied at Northside, Moore left the hospital with the detention officer and, as they approached the county vehicle, he threw down his crutches and ran, police said.
He remained at large until police arrested him Jan. 8, 2004, Krueger said.
Authorities said he refused to stop his car when police tried to pull him over in January. Police said Moore led them on a chase through the city's East Side before he was arrested.